Czech me out, in Prague

The next stop on our Busabout journey of Europe was Prague. I didn’t know much about the city, I just knew I was excited to go there.

Arriving in the afternoon, we had to change over our Euros into the Czech Republic currency of crowns (koruna). Unlike other currencies they don’t have dollars and cents, or euros and euro cents, just crowns. The approximate value of 100 crowns is €4 or around $6 Australian.

I was liking the Czech Republic already!

We wasted no time on our first full day in Prague, kicking off with a free walking tour of the city. Our Czech guide, Karel, was a graduate of psychology and drama, so we knew we were in for an entertaining tour.

We visited the Old Town square and the palace and cathedral. We viewed the clock tower, and the Astronomical Clock. We saw the building of Charles’s University, Wenceslas Square, the National Museum, and a cubism building. We also saw St James Church, where the decomposed hand of a thief hangs after being chopped off for his crime.

Chillen in Old Town Square

The Astronomical Clock

Building designed in the style of cubism

Pretty Prague

There are dementors in Prague, tell Harry

We saw a number of synagogues, the Jewish City Hall as well as the Jewish cemetery, housing an unthinkable number of deceased. We went to Jan Palach Square, named after a student who set himself on fire as a political protest. We took a stroll down Paris Avenue, known as the ‘rich street’, where we found designer clothing stores, luxury cars, and just generally wanted to hang out.

Loving the sunshine

Wassup bridge

Prague loving

After the tour we made the hike up to Prague Castle, the biggest castle in Europe. And it was huge. Even the cathedral inside was huge.

Hanging with a castle guard

Huge mother of a cathedral

Today was also a day about food. Cheap, amazing food.

We found a cute café for lunch and were shocked by the prices for the quality of food. I had a coffee and two focaccias (I was hungry, ok?) for the equivalent of €6. And they were the best damn focaccias I’ve ever eaten.

The best focaccia ever, so much basil pesto

Coffee fix

And dinner was even better. Exhausted after our huge day we found a basic Italian restaurant. We each had a bruschetta entre, pizza/ calzone main, and six cocktails between us for the equivalent €10-12 each! Phenomenally cheap! And yummy!

Fair to say we probably didn’t need to eat for a week after that meal.

Yummy!

Even more yummy!

We spent $1300 on dinner! Jokes 1300 crowns

All in all, a great start to Prague. Bring on the next few days!

Professional eater,

Nikki

Beer and Schnitzel in Berlin

Berlin was one of the places on our itinerary I would not have immediately picked to visit had I few choices. But nevertheless I’m glad we stopped off in this growing city and I enjoyed my time there.

Jumping on the Busabout coach from Amsterdam to Berlin we had another full day of travelling. Watching and quoting The Hangover passed the time, as well as sleeping off our ‘Amsterdam Hangover’.

By the time we made it to Berlin, we were pumped and ready for another pub crawl. Some of these are organised through Busabout, so they are a great way to meet and hang out with others on the Busabout Loops.

On this particular pub crawl we were forced to drink beer (no thank you), walk through the rain (do we have to?) and visit some tiny pubs rather than more upbeat clubs (we can’t dance to this music!). But it was still a fun night with €1 shots, €2.50 cocktails and great friends to be made.

Using our maps for umbrellas so we don't get our hair wet. Good idea in a new city?

We're going on a pub crawl, we're going on a pub crawl, we're gonna drink some alcohol

Hanging out with new friends

Did someone say cheap drinks?

By the early hours of the morning we piled into a cab, not knowing how to get back to the hostel. This is often the easiest way to make it home from a big night if you know the address of where you are staying. Always ask for the cost to take you and the number of your party to your destination before you get into the cab.

One look at the address and the driver kicked us out – turns out we were only one street away from the hostel. Ideal!

We have found that walking tours are often the best way to see a city, and at least gain some basic orientation. Busabout sells many of these tours, so we opted for an afternoon tour, allowing for a sleep in after the previous night’s bar hopping.

Sleep in, greasy kebab for lunch – who knew kebabs originated in Berlin?? – coffee in hand, and we were ready to see Berlin.

Berlin's favourite. It's kebab time!

It was one of the more interesting walking tours I have been on. Our guide was half Egyptian, half German, and had lived most of his life in New York before moving to Berlin. He was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Berlin, and not the slightest bit objective. However we all learnt a thing or two from him.

There is so much to see in Berlin. Besides the countless museums there are monuments and memorials, dedicated to victims of war and recognising Germany’s past. It was explained to us that it is important these memorials stand, to remember the past and act as reminders that these events must never happen again.   

On the tour we also saw the Old National Gallery, Humboldt University, the Former Royal Museum and Cathedral, Hitler’s Chancellery, the former location of Hitler’s bunker, and the Brandenburg Gate.

It was strange being at the former location of Hitler’s bunker. It has since been filled in and built over, so that the site cannot be glorified or celebrated by modern day followers.

It was interesting to learn of the Berlin wall and its fall in 1989. I had no idea that Germany was still split in two only a year before my lifetime. We viewed sections of the wall as well as Checkpoint Charlie, and heard heroic and imaginative tales of people crossing over and under the wall by different feats.

Standing by the Berlin Wall

The Holocaust Memorial was perhaps the biggest and most impressive. It consists of hundreds of grey stone pillars of different height, covering a huge square area. As you walk through it the pillars grow, until you feel trapped and overwhelmed, lost in the grey. I actually did get lost between the pillars, trying to find my friends or the way out.

Holocaust Memorial

Holocaust Memorial

After the tour we wanted to try out an authentic German schnitzel, so we asked our guide for affordable restaurant recommendations. This is a great way to score quality local food; tour guides are always happy to direct us to their favourite and less touristy areas for a yummy traditional meal.

And this recommendation resulted in the best schnitzel Ash and I have ever eaten (and one of the best pizzas vegetarian Livi has eaten).

Although we had to wait over an hour for a table, it was well worth it Each plate came with two huge pork schnitzels, and we were able to finish both comfortably. Delicious!

Mad schnittys

I also finished my first whole beer ever. Even if it was cherry flavoured beer.

I popped my cherry beer cherry

Our final day in Berlin revolved around clothing and accessories. After a trip to the shopping centre Alexanderplatz, we visited the History Museum to take in a fashion exhibition.

Fashioning Fashion

We spent hours looking at clothes and tailoring, and the evolution of shapes and silhouettes over time. The colours and intricate detailing varied between country and era, and was a great way to spend the afternoon.

Having made friends along the way during our travels, we caught up with friends made on the Amsterdam pub crawl as well as the Berlin pub crawl. Mexican was on the menu, and it was some of the best damn Mexican I’ve ever eaten – in Berlin!

I enjoyed Berlin, however it’s not somewhere I would rush back to. It was quite dull and grey, so perhaps if the weather was nicer I would have enjoyed it more. We had heard so many things about Berlin growing into a super exciting, young and happening town, and I didn’t really find that on this visit.

Nevertheless, Berlin’s history made it important we visit, and we will be talking about those schnitzels for years to come!

Can drink beer,

Nikki

Wham, bam, Amsterdam!

Those who know me would have heard me talk about going to Amsterdam as returning to the motherland, even though none of my immediate family speaks a word of Dutch.

Nevertheless I was glad to be visiting the home country of one side of my family.

On the first departing Busabout coach of the season, it was a long travel day. We left Paris at 9am and didn’t reach Amsterdam until after 6pm.

Our ride for the next three months, total pimp-mobile

The bus was filled with excited travellers ready to see Europe. About 95% of the passengers were Australian, along with the tour guide.

After lugging our bags to the hostel, we unpacked and ventured out into the streets of Amsterdam.  It is a beautiful city, where the main form of transport is bicycle. The number of times we were dinged by a bike, or accidentally walking in the bike lane became uncountable. Bikes have more rights on the road than cars or pedestrians.

Gonna ride my bike until I get home

Look out, biiiike!

That night as we made it into the centre of town, we could see a large group of people shouting and cheering. There were flares, rubbish and people everywhere. It looked like a riot, and I was scared we had walked right into the middle of it.

Turns out the Amsterdam soccer team, Ajax, had won the championship, and the fans were celebrating their big win. Phew!

A night on the town and we were hopelessly lost deep in the city, looking for the Red Light District. Unlike Melbourne’s grid shaped structure, Amsterdam is shaped like a horseshoe. Who makes a city built like a horseshoe?!

Where are we??!

It was difficult to navigate the streets with a map, wondering which bridge and which canal we were actually crossing, and where each winding street would take us. When the landscape started looking dodgy we decided to head back to the hostel, via McDonalds. Who knew vanilla milkshakes were so good?! Sorry chocolate, you’re out. 

Recovered and ready for a big day of sightseeing, we met a darling friend Ross, who tagged along with us to the Anne Frank House.

Having read The Diary of Anne Frank almost seven years ago in high school, I was interested and intrigued to view her family’s hiding place from the Nazis. It has been turned into a museum, where guests are chronologically guided through the house, and into the secret back rooms.

Anne Frank memorial

There are quotes from the diary on the walls, and videos of Anne’s surviving friends, her surviving father, and those who helped them hide for many years.

The back house was bigger than I had expected, however for the number of people hiding there it must have been quite small. I could never imagine having to stay inside for years, not being able to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

It is evident how intelligent and mature Anne was, and how heartbreaking that time must have been. We are all keen to read or re-read Anne’s diary after visiting the house.

Needing some cheering up we set off to find some pancakes for lunch. Pancakes are my second favourite food, behind pizza, so I was hella excited.

We found a place, not called Pancakes, but Pancakes! Can’t forget the exclamation mark.

The food was delicious. Huge pancakes with sugar and fresh strawberries, what more could you want? Turns out Pancakes! Is one of the top recommended restaurants in Amsterdam. Great find!

Pancakes!

Get in my belly!

We spent the rest of the day wandering around town before getting ready for the first of many pub crawls.

The Amsterdam pub crawl was so much fun. Mostly made up of fellow Busabout Passengers, I have never drunk so much jagermeister in my life.

Dayyyymn girl

We went to six different bars and clubs, where shots were free poured straight into our mouths on arrival. It was ridiculous, and so much fun!

Give it to me baby, uha uha

Kisses for you!

The Ajax soccer fans were still partying, so we happily joined in on the celebrations.

Ajax!!!!

I don’t think we spent any money the whole night; there were too many free drinks. Definitely worth it!

And we got free t-shirts, ohhh yeahhh

Another trip to Maccas, another delicious vanilla shake, and we were homeward bound. 

Our final day in Amsterdam was spent further exploring the city, shopping, eating a second round of hangover pancakes, and finally finding the Red Light District.

Ate most of it before remembering to take a pic, it was just too good!

Enjoying the simple things in life, like colouring in at Pancakes!

We went to the district in the late afternoon, to see there were many women in the windows. It was quite confronting seeing them try to entice men to come and speak with them, and to see some men’s reactions to the women. We didn’t stay very long.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city, with gorgeous people. Everyone is friendly and helpful, and the tolerant nature of the city shines through. I would definitely like to come back one day, and even try riding a bike through the hectic streets. 

Claiming my Dutch heritage,

Nikki

One night in Paris

I had said for the first month and a half that I didn’t feel like our trip was really starting until we hit Europe, that everything before that was pre-trip. And finally that day had come; we were going to Paris!

We have thankfully got into the habit of double checking our tickets and connections at least a day prior to travelling, so when we approached the Eurostar desk to find out we were not actually booked onto the train we had reserved and paid for through our travel agent, we were less than impressed.

With low phone battery, low pone credit and low access to wifi, we frantically googled 24 hour emergency phone numbers and contact details for our travel agent.

Afternoon in London, late at night in Melbourne.

Big problem.

After two phone calls to Australia, confirmation from our travel agent and £140 each later, we were booked onto the same train the next day.

Crisis averted.

Paris outfits selected, bags packed, and we were off to the city of love!

The Eurostar was easy to use and quite efficient. We went through customs and passport control where I was subject to a body search – do I look like I carry a gun?? – where a migraine on my part was the worst part of the trip.

But we made it to Paris. And Livi cried when we got there. Gorgeous!

As we planned to visit Paris properly at the end of our European trip, we only had one night in the city.  So after checking into our beautiful hostel we decided to explore the surrounding suburbs.

Boadwalk Empire

We walked along the canals watching locals play bocce, walk their dogs and lie out in the sunshine. We found an outdoor café and sat for hours, people watching, drinking coffee and eating crème brûlée. It was the perfect afternoon.

Dining like royalty

Come at me!

Looking famous, loving life

That night we wanted to celebrate finally making it to Paris, toasting with French Champagne.  We found a local restaurant where the staff spoke little to no English, picked blindly from the menu and dined like Parisians.

Oui, oui!

Oh la la!

We returned back to the hotel for more drinks  before heading to bed, for the next day we would start our European Adventure with Busabout.

Cheers!

Nikki Hilton